Food, Fiction & Inclusivity: The Storytelling Journey of Karan Puri

What if food could tell stories, of memory, identity, rebellion, and love? For author, columnist, and digital marketing consultant Karan Puri, food has always been more than nourishment. It is a language, a thread that binds generations, and a powerful tool to unlock nostalgia and connection. In his latest conversation on The AboutHer Show, he opens up about his creative evolution, the inspiration behind his book Tales Between Tastes, and the ways in which he continues to weave inclusivity into storytelling.

The Making of a Storyteller

Karan’s creative journey reflects both change and continuity. He began with Shit Happens! Desi Boy In America, a youthful narrative about cultural confusion, diaspora identity, and the chaos of student life abroad. That book was playful, humorous, and filled with energy. But over time, his storytelling voice shifted into deeper, more layered spaces.

His book inspired by the #MeToo movement marked a significant turning point. Based on survivors’ accounts, it was an emotionally intense project that required him to hold other people’s pain with authenticity and sensitivity. As Karan recalls, many of the survivors had carried their experiences silently for years, trusting him to put them into words. The process was humbling and transformative, not just for his writing, but also for him as a person.

With Tales Between Tastes, Karan has embraced another dimension of storytelling, one that is warm, nostalgic, and rooted in food. It is his love letter to childhood memories, kitchens, and the unspoken intimacy of shared meals.

Food as Memory, Food as Language

Karan believes food is a universal language that requires no translation. Whether it is the aroma of maa ke haath ka khaana on a Sunday afternoon or the first juicy bite of a mango in June, food has the power to transport us back to a moment, a person, or even a forgotten version of ourselves.

Also Read: Stories That Stick- Pooja Marwah on Craft, Culture & Content Creation

In his new book, he combines food, fiction, and history to create stories that young readers and adults alike can connect with. His aim is not simply to entertain but also to evoke nostalgia and bridge generations. He reminds us that sometimes the most powerful legacies are not grand monuments but recipes passed down, family meals remembered, and laughter shared across a dining table.

One of his fondest memories comes from his school days in Delhi. His mother, aware of his love for variety, packed a different lunch each day, aloo parathas, Maggi, pizza, or something unexpected. His classmates eagerly peeked into his lunchbox, often finishing half of it before the official break. That memory, as simple as it seems, became a spark for the stories he would later write. It taught him that food carries not only taste but belonging, identity, and joy.

History Through Ordinary Eyes

In discussing historical fiction for children, Karan highlights a unique approach: he avoids kings, queens, and conquerors. Instead, he writes through the lens of ordinary people, cooks, potters, schoolboys. This choice reflects his belief that the most powerful stories rise from the ground up.

For him, history is not just about battles and dates but about the everyday lives of people who lived through it. A humble chapati might carry a secret message. A kitchen might become the stage for resilience. By focusing on these small yet profound details, his stories allow children to engage with history in ways that are accessible, imaginative, and emotionally resonant.

Humour as the Secret Ingredient

Humour, Karan explains, is like a pinch of chaat masala, unnoticed at first but transformative. It allows him to convey complex ideas without preaching or moralising. In Tales Between Tastes, humour becomes the bridge between layered themes like empathy, identity, and legacy, and the childlike joy of bedtime stories.

He gives the example of a boy who wears a bucket as a helmet. On the surface, it is funny. But beneath the laughter lies a deeper message, of imagination, escape, and protection. Children, he believes, are wise readers who connect best through emotion, and humour opens the door to those connections.

Inclusivity in Storytelling

A recurring theme in Karan’s career is inclusivity. His work on #MeToo showed him the responsibility of listening with empathy and narrating without judgment. He also ensures that his children’s books feature strong female characters, grandmothers, caretakers, rebels, who shape both family and heritage.

As a male author writing on gender issues, Karan views his role as an ally. Inclusivity, to him, means reflecting diverse voices honestly and ensuring that readers find both representation and inspiration in his stories. He is clear that being a writer is not just about telling stories but about connecting with readers, learning from their feedback, and evolving with their expectations.

Lessons from the Corporate World

Before becoming a full-time writer, Karan worked with companies such as Coca-Cola, Ernst & Young, Times of India, and Zee Telefilms. Those years gave him a rich storehouse of observations and characters, as well as insight into changing generational attitudes.

He sees storytelling as closely linked with observation. Watching how people behave under stress, how they interact in workplaces, and how cultures shift across generations has informed his writing. His ability to adapt to Gen Z trends while staying rooted in timeless storytelling comes from this mix of corporate discipline and creative freedom.

Also Read: Instruments of Truth- Aparna Sanyal on Writing, Resilience & The Road Less Travelled

Advice for Aspiring Writers

For those trying to balance creativity with digital presence, Karan offers a powerful reminder:

“Use the digital world as your canvas, not your compass.”

Trends come and go, platforms change, and algorithms evolve. What remains timeless is an authentic story told from the heart. He urges writers not to dilute their creativity for likes or virality but to create first and share fearlessly. True influence, he insists, comes not from follower counts but from genuine connection with readers.

A Glimpse into the Person Behind the Pages

The episode closes with a rapid-fire round, where Karan reveals his love for mangoes, his preference for writing solo, his loyalty to magazine columns over Instagram reels, and the deep influence of his mother on his journey. Describing his childhood in one word, “adventurous”, he gives listeners a glimpse into the lively, curious spirit that continues to drive his work.

Listen to the Full Episode

👉 Spotify | Apple | Audible

Closing Thought

For Karan Puri, storytelling is about much more than words on a page. It is about food as memory, humour as a bridge, and inclusivity as a responsibility. His journey reminds us that stories, whether drawn from history, kitchens, or personal struggles, have the power to connect, heal, and inspire.

If this conversation resonated with you, subscribe to The AboutHer Show and share the episode with someone who loves stories that blend creativity, culture, and compassion.